System and method for providing access to an information handling system

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a memory and a detector circuit. The memory is configured to store a first electrocardiogram measurement. The detector circuit is configured to receive a second electrocardiogram measurement in response to a specific combination of keys of a keyboard being pressed for a specific period of time, wherein each key in the specific key combination includes an electrocardiogram sensor on a top surface of the key, to authorize a user and log the user onto the information handling system when the second electrocardiogram measurement matches the first electrocardiogram measurement, and otherwise: to deny access to the information handling system; to increase a counter; to determine whether the counter has exceeded a threshold; and to request that an input window is displayed when the counter has exceeded the threshold.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/152,470, entitled “System and Method for Providing Access to anInformation Handling System,” filed on Jun. 3, 2011, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, andmore particularly relates to a system and method for providing access toan information handling system.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements can varybetween different applications, information handling systems can alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software components that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems.

Access to an information handling system can be protected, such thatonly authorized users can access the information handling system. Thus,the information handling system can require a user to provide accessinformation before granting the user access to the information handlingsystem. The access information can include a username and password,biometric information, an authentication key, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary screen shot of an electrocardiogram graphicaluser interface of the information handling system;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot of a logon prompt;

FIG. 4 is another exemplary screen shot of the logon prompt;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary screen shot of a username/password graphical userinterface;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for storing an electrocardiogrammeasurement as access information for the information handling system;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for authorizing access to theinformation handling based on the electrocardiogram measurement; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of another method for authorizing access to theinformation handling based on the electrocardiogram measurement.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainlybe utilized in this application.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an information handling system,generally designated at 100. For purposes of this disclosure, theinformation handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregateof instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment,or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be apersonal computer, a PDA, a tablet, a mobile computing device, aconsumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switchrouter or other network communication device, or any other suitabledevice and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, andprice. The information handling system may include memory, one or moreprocessing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardwareor software control logic. Additional components of the informationhandling system may include one or more storage devices, one or morecommunications ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information handling system 100 can include afirst physical processor 102 coupled to a first host bus 104 and canfurther include additional processors generally designated as n^(th)physical processor 106 coupled to a second host bus 108. The firstphysical processor 102 can be coupled to a chipset 110 via the firsthost bus 104. Further, the n^(th) physical processor 106 can be coupledto the chipset 110 via the second host bus 108. The chipset 110 cansupport multiple processors and can allow for simultaneous processing ofmultiple processors and support the exchange of information withininformation handling system 100 during multiple processing operations.

According to one aspect, the chipset 110 can be referred to as a memoryhub or a memory controller. For example, the chipset 110 can include anAccelerated Hub Architecture (AHA) that uses a dedicated bus to transferdata between first physical processor 102 and the n^(th) physicalprocessor 106. For example, the chipset 110, including an AHAenabled-chipset, can include a memory controller hub and an input/output(I/O) controller hub. As a memory controller hub, the chipset 110 canfunction to provide access to first physical processor 102 using firstbus 104 and n^(th) physical processor 106 using the second host bus 108.The chipset 110 can also provide a memory interface for accessing memory112 using a memory bus 114. In a particular embodiment, the buses 104,108, and 114 can be individual buses or part of the same bus. Thechipset 110 can also provide bus control and can handle transfersbetween the buses 104, 108, and 114.

According to another aspect, the chipset 110 can be generally consideredan application specific chipset that provides connectivity to variousbuses, and integrates other system functions. For example, the chipset110 can be provided using an Intel® Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset thatcan also include two parts, a Graphics and AGP Memory Controller Hub(GMCH) and an I/O Controller Hub (ICH). For example, an Intel 820E, an815E chipset, or any combination thereof, available from the IntelCorporation of Santa Clara, Calif., can provide at least a portion ofthe chipset 110. The chipset 110 can also be packaged as an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The information handling system 100 can also include a video graphicsinterface 122 that can be coupled to the chipset 110 using a third hostbus 124. In one form, the video graphics interface 122 can be anAccelerated Graphics Port (AGP) interface to display content within avideo display unit 126. Other graphics interfaces may also be used. Thevideo graphics interface 122 can provide a video display output 128 tothe video display unit 126. The video display unit 126 can include oneor more types of video displays such as a flat panel display (FPD) orother type of display device.

The information handling system 100 can also include an I/O interface130 that can be connected via an I/O bus 120 to the chipset 110. The I/Ointerface 130 and I/O bus 120 can include industry standard buses orproprietary buses and respective interfaces or controllers. For example,the I/O bus 120 can also include a Peripheral Component Interconnect(PCI) bus or a high speed PCI-Express bus. In one embodiment, a PCI buscan be operated at approximately 16 MHz and a PCI-Express bus can beoperated at approximately 128 MHz. PCI buses and PCI-Express buses canbe provided to comply with industry standards for connecting andcommunicating between various PCI-enabled hardware devices. Other busescan also be provided in association with, or independent of, the I/O bus120 including, but not limited to, industry standard buses orproprietary buses, such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), SmallComputer Serial Interface (SCSI), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C), SystemPacket Interface (SPI), or Universal Serial buses (USBs).

In an alternate embodiment, the chipset 110 can be a chipset employing aNorthbridge/Southbridge chipset configuration (not illustrated). Forexample, a Northbridge portion of the chipset 110 can communicate withthe first physical processor 102 and can control interaction with thememory 112, the I/O bus 120 that can be operable as a PCI bus, andactivities for the video graphics interface 122. The Northbridge portioncan also communicate with the first physical processor 102 using firstbus 104 and the second bus 108 coupled to the n^(th) physical processor106. The chipset 110 can also include a Southbridge portion (notillustrated) of the chipset 110 and can handle I/O functions of thechipset 110. The Southbridge portion can manage the basic forms of I/Osuch as Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial I/O, audio outputs,Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), and ISA I/O for the informationhandling system 100.

The information handling system 100 can further include a diskcontroller 132 coupled to the I/O bus 120, and connecting one or moreinternal disk drives such as a hard disk drive (HDD) 134 and an opticaldisk drive (ODD) 136 such as a Read/Write Compact Disk (R/W CD), aRead/Write Digital Video Disk (R/W DVD), a Read/Write mini-Digital VideoDisk (R/W mini-DVD), or other type of optical disk drive.

The information handling system 100 can also include anelectrocardiogram (ECG) detector circuit 138, which can be incommunication with a keyboard 140 and with the chipset 110. In anotherembodiment, the ECG detector circuit 138 may be integrated within thekeyboard 140. The ECG detector circuit 138 can be a micro processingunit, a general processor, or the like. The keyboard 140 may beincorporated into the information handling system 100 or may be externalto the information handling system. The keyboard 140 can include anumber of keys, such as ECG keys 142, which can have an ECG sensor on atop surface of the keys. The ECG sensors can be used to pick up an ECGsignal of a user. In one embodiment, the ECG keys 142 can be a “control”key, an “alt” key, and a “delete” key of a standard QWERTY keyboard. TheECG sensor in an ECG key 142 can be a sensor pad integrated into the topsurface of the key, conductive paint coated onto the top of the key, anoil overlay on the key, or the like.

When a user presses and holds his or her fingers from both hands down ontwo or more of the ECG keys 142, the ECG detector circuit 138 canreceive an ECG signal for the user from the keyboard 140. The ECGdetector circuit 138 can process the ECG signal and can then store theprocessed signal as an ECG measurement in the memory 112. In anotherembodiment, the memory 112 may be embedded within the ECG detector 138.The ECG measurement can be set as access information associated with auser of the information handling system 100. For example, the ECGmeasurement can be associated with a user profile for the user, suchthat the user can access the information handling system 100 in responseto the ECG measurement being authenticated. The memory 112 can alsostore additional ECG measurements that can be associated with accessinformation of additional users. In an embodiment, the informationhandling system 100 can provide the user with an ECG graphical userinterface (GUI) 202 to enable the user to set the ECG measurement forthe user as his or her access information, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows the ECG GUI 202 on the video display unit 126, including ausername box 204, a password box 206, a text block 208, a successfulnotification 210, a retry notification 212, a save button 214, and acancel button 216. The user can utilize the ECG GUI 202 to input an ECGmeasurement to be stored as access information for the user. The usercan input a username into the username box 204 and a password into thepassword box 206 that the user would like to have an ECG measurementassociated with. The command text 208 can indicate that the user shouldpress and hold the ECG keys 142, such as control (CTRL), alternate(ALT), and delete (DEL), for a specific period of time. The user canthen press and hold the ECG keys 142, which can provide the ECG detectorcircuit 138 with an ECG signal of the user. If the ECG detector circuit138 receives a complete ECG signal, the successful notification 210 canbe checked to provide the user with a visual notification that the ECGsignal was properly received.

However, if the ECG detector circuit 138 does not receive a complete ECGsignal, the retry notification 212 can be checked to provide the userwith a visual notification to again press and hold the ECG keys 142.When the ECG detector circuit 138 has received a proper ECG signal fromthe user, the user can select the save button 214 so that the ECG signalcan be saved as access information for the user. The ECG detectorcircuit 138 can process ECG signal to get an ECG measurement and cansend the ECG measurement to the memory 112 in response to the selectionof the save button 214. The ECG measurement can then be saved in thememory 112 as access information associated with the username andpassword entered into the respective username box 204 and password box206. However, if the user decides not to use the ECG signal as accessinformation then the user can select the cancel button 216 to exit theECG GUI 202.

FIG. 3 shows the video display unit 126 displaying a logon prompt 302,which in turn includes command text 304. When the ECG signal has beenset as the access information for the user, the user can attempt to logon to the information handling system 100 by following the command text304 that indicates that the user should press and hold the ECG keys 142for a specific period of time, such as three seconds. Based on thesignal received from the ECG keys 142, the user can be either grantedaccess to the information handling system 100, can be presented with anotification 402, or can be presented with a notification 404 as shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows the video display unit 126 displaying notifications 402 and404, the logon prompt 302, and the command text 304. If while trying tolog onto the information handling system 100 the user does not hold theECG keys 142 long enough, notification 402 can be presented to the uservia the video display unit 126. The notification 402 can include textindicating that the user released the ECG keys too quickly. The user canthen try holding the ECG keys 142 again to provide the ECG detectorcircuit 138 with an ECG signal. When the ECG detector circuit 138receives the ECG signal, the ECG detector circuit can process the ECGsignal to get a received ECG measurement, and can then compare thereceived ECG measurement to the ECG measurements stored in the memory112. If the ECG measurement received by the ECG detector circuit 138does not match one of the ECG measurements stored in the memory 112,notification 404 can be presented to the user on the video display unit126. The notification 404 can include text indicating that no match forthe ECG measurement was found. The user can then try holding the ECGkeys 142 again to provide the ECG detector circuit 138 with another ECGsignal.

Each time the ECG detector circuit 138 determines that the received ECGmeasurement does not match the ECG measurements stored in the memory112, the ECG detector circuit can increment a counter. When the counterexceeds a threshold, a username/password GUI 502 can be presented to theuser on the video display unit 126 as shown in FIG. 5. However, if theECG detector circuit 138 determines that a received ECG measurementmatches one of the stored ECG measurements, the ECG detector circuit canreset the counter to zero and can provide the user with access to theinformation handling system 100.

FIG. 5 shows the video display unit 126 displaying the username/passwordGUI 502, which includes a username box 504 and a password box 506. Theuser can enter a username and password into the respective username box504 and password box 506 so that the user can access the informationhandling system 100. The username and password can then be compared toaccess information stored in the memory 112 to determine whether theuser is authorized to access the information handling system. If theusername and password match the stored access information, the user canbe granted access to the information handling system. Otherwise, theuser can be denied access.

In another embodiment, the keyboard 140 may be external to theinformation handling system 100 and may function as a remote terminal,such that the user only has access to the keyboard and the video displayunit 126 while the remainder of the information handling system islocated at another location. The user can provide his or her ECG signalvia the keyboard 140 as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5, butthe ECG signal can be sent from the keyboard 140 to a remote informationhandling system 100 via a network 144. In this embodiment, the keyboard140 can communicate the ECG signal to the ECG detector 138 or processor102 via the network 144 and the I/O interface 130. The ECG detector 138or processor 102 can then match the ECG signal to a stored ECG signal inthe memory 112 as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. If the ECGsignal matches a stored ECG signal, the information handling system 100can send an authentication signal to the keyboard 140 of the remoteterminal via the I/O interface 130 and the network 144. The user canthen be granted access to the remote terminal in response to theauthentication signal.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for storing an electrocardiogram (ECG)measurement as access information for the information handling system.At block 602, a request to save an ECG measurement as access informationfor the information handling system is received. Text requesting a userto press and hold a specific key combination for a specific period oftime is display at block 604. The specific key combination can be acontrol key, an alt key, and a delete key of a standard keyboard. Eachkey in the specific key combination can include an ECG sensor on a topsurface of the key. The ECG sensor can be a sensor pad integrated intothe top surface of the key, conductive paint coated onto the top of thekey, an oil overlay on the key, or the like. At block 606, the ECGmeasurement is detected via an ECG detector circuit and based on theuser pressing the specific key combination for the specific period oftime. The ECG measurement is associated with a user profile at block608. At block 610, the ECG measurement is stored as the accessinformation for the user profile.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for authorizing access to theinformation handling based on the electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement.At block 702, a logon prompt is displayed on a display device of theinformation handling system. A determination is made whether a specifickey combination has been pressed at block 704. The specific keycombination can be a control key, an alt key, and a delete key of astandard keyboard. Each key in the specific key combination can includean ECG sensor on a top surface of the key. The ECG sensor can be asensor pad integrated into the top surface of the key, conductive paintcoated onto the top of the key, an oil overlay on the key, or the like.If the specific key combination has not been pressed the flow repeats asstated above at block 702. If the specific key combination has beenpressed, a determination is made whether an ECG measurement is detectedat block 706. If the ECG measurement has not been detected, a text boxincluding “Released Too Early” is displayed at block 708, and the flowrepeats as stated above at block 702.

If the ECG measurement is detected, a determination is made whether theECG measurement matches a stored ECG measurement at block 710. Thecomparison can be performed by an ECG detector circuit, which can be amicroprocessor unit, by a general processor, or the like. If the ECGmeasurement does not match the stored ECG measurement, access to theinformation handling system is denied at block 712, and the flow repeatsas stated above at block 702. However, if the ECG measurement matchesthe stored ECG measurement, the user is authorized and is logged ontothe information handling system at block 714.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for authorizing access to theinformation handling based on the electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement.At block 802, a logon prompt is displayed on a display device of theinformation handling system. A determination is made whether a specifickey combination has been pressed at block 804. The specific keycombination can be a control key, an alt key, and a delete key of astandard keyboard. Each key in the specific key combination can includean ECG sensor on a top surface of the key. The ECG sensor can be asensor pad integrated into the top surface of the key, conductive paintcoated onto the top of the key, an oil overlay on the key, or the like.If the specific key combination has not been pressed the flow repeats asstated above at block 802. If the specific key combination has beenpressed, a determination is made whether an ECG measurement matches atstored ECG measurement at block 806.

If the ECG measurement matches the stored ECG measurement, the user isauthorized and is logged onto the information handling system at block808. However, if the ECG measurement does not match the stored ECGmeasurement, access to the information handling system is denied and acounter is increase at block 810. A determination is made whether thecounter has exceeded a threshold at block 812. If the counter has notexceeded the threshold, a text block including “No Match” is displayedat block 814, and the flow repeats as stated above at block 802.

If the counter has exceeded the threshold, an input window is displayedat block 816. At block 818, additional authentication information isreceived. The additional authentication information can be administratorintervention, other biometric information, a token, or the like. Adetermination is made whether the additional authentication informationmatches stored additional authentication information at block 820. Ifthe additional authentication information matches the stored additionalauthentication information, the user is authorized and is logged ontothe information handling system at block 808, otherwise the flow repeatsas stated above at block 802.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailin the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure.For example, the methods described in the present disclosure can bestored as instructions in a computer readable medium to cause aprocessor, such as chipset 110, to perform the method. Additionally, themethods described in the present disclosure can be stored asinstructions in a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as ahard disk drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, and the like.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in thefollowing claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents, but alsoequivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: amemory; and a detector circuit in communication with the memory, thedetector circuit configured to receive a first electrocardiogrammeasurement, to store the first electrocardiogram measurement in thememory as user access information for the information handling system inresponse to a save request from a user, to receive a secondelectrocardiogram measurement in response to a specific combination ofkeys of a keyboard being pressed for a specific period of time, whereineach key in the specific combination of keys includes anelectrocardiogram sensor on a top surface of the key, and to authorizethe user and log the user onto the information handling system inresponse to the second electrocardiogram measurement matching the firstelectrocardiogram measurement; and a video display unit in communicationwith the detector circuit, the video display unit configured to displaya first notification text box in response to the specific combination ofkeys not being pressed for the specific period of time, wherein thefirst notification text box includes text stating that the specific keycombination was released too early.
 2. The information handling systemof claim 1 further comprising: the video display unit configured todisplay a logon prompt prior to the detector circuit receiving thesecond electrocardiogram measurement, and to display the input window.3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the notificationtext box indicates that the second electrocardiogram measurement doesnot match the second electrocardiogram measurement.
 4. The informationhandling system of claim 1 wherein detector circuit is furtherconfigured to: if the second electrocardiogram measurement does notmatch the first electrocardiogram measurement: to deny access to theinformation handling system; to increase a counter; to determine whetherthe counter has exceeded a threshold; and to request additionalauthentication information via an input window when the counter hasexceeded the threshold.
 5. The information handling system of claim 4further comprising: a processor in communication with the detectorcircuit, the processor configured to receive the additionalauthentication information in response to the input window beingdisplayed, to determine whether the additional authenticationinformation matches a stored additional authentication information, andif the additional authentication information matches the storedadditional authentication information to authorize the user and log theuser onto the information handling system, other to deny access to theinformation handling system.
 6. The information handling system of claim4 wherein the additional authentication information is selected from agroup consisting of administrator intervention, other biometricinformation, and a token.
 7. The information handling system of claim 1wherein the electrocardiogram sensor is selected from a group consistingof a sensor pad integrated into the top surface of the key, conductivepaint coated onto the top of the key, and an oil overlay on the key. 8.A method comprising: determining whether a specific key combination ofan information handling system was pressed for a specific period oftime, wherein each key in the specific key combination includes anelectrocardiogram sensor on a top surface of the key; displaying a firstnotification text box in response to the specific key combination notbeing pressed for the specific period of time; receiving a firstelectrocardiogram measurement in response to the specific keycombination being pressed for the specific period of time; determiningwhether the first electrocardiogram measurement matches a secondelectrocardiogram measurement stored in a memory; and authorizing andlogging a user onto the information handling system in response to thefirst electrocardiogram measurement matching the secondelectrocardiogram measurement.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein thefirst notification text box indicates that the specific key combinationwas released too early.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:receiving a request to save the second electrocardiogram measurement asthe access information for the information handling system; display textrequesting the user to press the specific key combination for thespecific period of time; detecting, via the detector circuit, the secondelectrocardiogram measurement in response to the user pressing thespecific key combination for the specific period of time; associatingthe second electrocardiogram measurement with the user profile; andstoring the second electrocardiogram measurement as the accessinformation for the user profile in the memory.
 11. The method of claim8 further comprising: if the first electrocardiogram measurement doesnot match the second electrocardiogram measurement, then: denying accessto the information handling system; increasing a counter; determiningwhether the counter has exceeded a threshold; and displaying an inputwindow when the counter has exceeded the threshold.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising: displaying a second notification text boxwhen the counter has not exceeded the threshold.
 13. The method of claim12 wherein the second notification text block indicates that the firstelectrocardiogram measurement does not match the secondelectrocardiogram measurement.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein if thefirst electrocardiogram measurement does not match the secondelectrocardiogram measurement, further comprising: receiving additionalauthentication information in response to displaying the input window;determining whether the additional authentication information matches astored additional authentication information; and if the additionalauthentication information matches the stored additional authenticationinformation, then logging the user onto the information handling system.15. The method of claim 8 wherein a comparison between the first andsecond electrocardiogram measurements is performed by a detectorcircuit, wherein the detector circuit is selected from a groupconsisting of a microprocessor unit and a general processor.
 16. Amethod comprising: receiving a request to save a first electrocardiogrammeasurement as access information for an information handling system;associating the first electrocardiogram measurement with a user profilein response to the request to save the first electrocardiogrammeasurement as the access information; storing the firstelectrocardiogram measurement as the access information for the userprofile; determining whether a second electrocardiogram measurement isdetected in response to a specific key combination being pressed for aspecific period of time, wherein each key in the specific keycombination includes an electrocardiogram sensor on a top surface of thekey; displaying a first notification text box in response to the secondelectrocardiogram measurement having not been detected, wherein thefirst notification text box includes text stating that the specific keycombination was released too early; determining whether the secondelectrocardiogram measurement matches the first electrocardiogrammeasurement when the second electrocardiogram measurement is detected;and logging a user onto the information handling system in response tothe second electrocardiogram measurement matching the firstelectrocardiogram measurement.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein acomparison between the first and second electrocardiogram measurementsis performed by a detector circuit, wherein the detector circuit isselected from a group consisting of a microprocessor unit and a generalprocessor.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the electrocardiogramsensor is selected from a group consisting of a sensor pad integratedinto the top surface of the key, conductive paint coated onto the top ofthe key, and an oil overlay on the key.